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Categories: American (Traditional), Breakfast & Brunch, Seafood [Edit]
Neighborhood: DowntownMon-Sun. 7:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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I don't know. Maybe it's a "Seattle Thing". There's a serious lacking of decent breakfast places.
I had the corned beef hash and it was great.
My friend and I went to Lowells for a nice, leisurely Saturday brunch. We were definitely not disappointed! The view was spectacular (we lucked out and experienced a warm, sunny clear day) and the food definitely set us up for the rest of the afternoon. This also seems like a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee with friends while taking a break from the Pike Place madness.
The food is standard brunchy stuff, but definitely go - for the view. Make sure you sneak all the way up to the 3rd floor so you get an unobstructed view of the water. Don't worry, the wait staff WILL come find your number even if you're all the way at the top.
Lowell's gets one and a half stars, purely based on the atmosphere/view. I dined there for the first time last week. I figured with all the great reviews, and being a top tourist spot, it had to have something to offer...but unfortunately I was wrong.
We sat upstairs where we were told there was "full table service". It took the server 10 minutes to take a drink order, 10 minutes to bring us our drinks, and once our food was served, he never returned. We had to go to the bar to get extra tarter sauce and refills. It was probably the worst service that I've ever experienced.
The food was okay, but overpriced. I had the salmon sandwich, which consisted of 4 ounces of salmon on a over-sized bun, served with cold fries. Everyone I dined with had a similar experience with their meals.
In short--mediocre food, overpriced, terrible service BUT...you can look at the Sound while you eat your cold fries. There are many other restaurants with a view in the Market. Don't waste your money at Lowell's.
We went to Lowell's for breakfast in the off-season and it was pretty decent. I wish I could give it 3.5 stars.
It's a little difficult to figure out the whole system they have there, but you can just order at the counter and find a table on the 1st or 3rd floor, and they give you a number so they can deliver your food, and it works pretty well. They also have waiter service on the 2nd floor if you care about that.
Other reviewers complained that the food was overpriced, but I didn't really think it was, considering it was pretty good quality. A side of bacon was particularly good -- crispy and chewy and just the right doneness. Actually come to think of it, I have never had a bad piece of bacon in Seattle. Hubby had corned beef hash, which was really nice, and I had eggs benedict, which I haven't had in forever, and was also nice.
I wouldn't recommend going there in the summertime since that's the height of the tourist season, although if you are a tourist, there is an awesome view. If you're a loca, it's kind of romantic to go there in the off season with your honey, have some breakfast and enjoy the view.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Corned Beef Hash breakfast with toast, hash browns and topped with 2 eggs over easy. They claim its the best hash in Seattle and they may very well be right. The hash was fantastic and the sweeping view of Puget Sound while we ate was very nice. Although my meal was really good, I had a bite of my wifes breakfast tacos and I would recommend those over the hash, they were awesome!
Fresh squeezed OJ was delicious as well. Prices seemed a tad high, but I'm sure being located in Pike's Market has something to do with that.
Crowded, confusing, but overall - the food is surprisingly excellent.
Went here last weekend. Got fish and chips and a salad. Both really hit the spot. The fish was lightly breaded and baked - instead of beer-battered and deep-fried, so it tasted much fresher and lighter. Quite nice. The fries were weak - didn't care for them.
Ceasear salad was good - nice garlic toast with it.
Finding a seat was rough - also their seating is confusing: You can go upstairs for table service but only on the 2nd floor and only if you don't have a kid with you otherwise stand in line and go sit on the 1st or 3rd floor and only if you can find a seat. Weird.
Extra star for that food though. Surprised me. Which doesn't happen often enough.
Had the Dungeness Crab Omelette which was good, but I don't crave it.... and it wasn't cheap, but it had a generous amount of lump crab meat, so I'm letting it slide... It does have a nice view of the water... it's a decent place...
For more reviews visit my blog.
I was in Seattle for the first time and just HAD to go to the Public Market Center like all the other tourists....
I didn't run into Eddie Vedder, but I did go to Lowells. They have a sick view of the sound, a nice bar that faces it, good bar food and some crazy bloody mary's. Bacon infused vodka (they let it marinate together for a week then strain out the bacon chunks), bloody mary mix and a raw oyster on top. The people I was with didn't want their oysters so I got two oysters in a shot glass and loved it.
Lowells is one of the nicer restaurants in the market so if you are ever here definitely go in. I liked it...
Wanna feel like a tourist in your home town? Go to tourist traps. Very average food with a great atmosphere.
Being in Seattle, I had to have breakfast at least once at Pike Place Market with views of the bay outside the windows. This is what I did yesterday. I went to Lowell's for breakfast. It is a tourist hotspot, but at 8:30 in the morning was relatively quiet. It is kind of nice to see what it is like to be there without the rush.
Lowell's has three levels. There is sitdown service on the second floor or you can decide to order and have your meal brought to you on the bottom or top floor. I decided to do the latter option. I stood in line and decided on a smoked salmon eggs benedict ($14.99) and a cup of Caffe Vita coffee($1.99). Prices are inflated due to the locale, but this is the kind of place which you would go on a special occasion.
I headed up to the top floor which does have an okay view and is very quaint. After a 15 minute wait, a server brought up my order. The eggs benedict came with a side of hash browns and an orange slice. Overall, I liked the meal though I felt it was a definite splurge. I kind of also question giving a 15% tip which is what I did. Service was nonexistent aside from someone bringing your meal and taking away your plate. It was almost like service that you would get at a buffet.
I would recommend Lowell's just to try, but this is probably not a regular spot I would go to for breakfast in Seattle.
I have to confess something.
Nearly every time I am making lunch or early dinner plans with a friend I am "discussing options" while secretly scheming and dreaming and trying to figure out how we can end up at Lowell's.
Other places just don't have a GIANT bowl of delicious fat steamer clams for $15. Other places just don't have that perfect view of the harbor, or if you sit on the north side of the 2nd floor, that view of people walking through the market. Other places just don't have good beer on tap.
OK so that last one isn't true. But Lowell's is probably one of my favorite spots in the city even though I don't get there nearly often enough.
This place is awesome! Get there early for breakfast!!!! Enough said!
Is it silly to even criticize a restaurant in Pike Market? It's like shooting spitballs at the sun.
It's true that you can see the water from Lowell's. You can see the water from most unobstructed lofty views in this city region. You can also get fresh seafood between two slices of (Wonder) bread anywhere around here.
I came here with my dad who's used to paying Minnesota prices for everything, and although he's the nicest man in the world I could see his face when it was $26 for two sandwiches and two glasses of water.
That would be ok if it was delicious. But it was totally standard. The fries are second-rate BK golden fries. The fish was fried and ... fried. The bacon in the BLAT was hard and brown like jerky.
As my dad would say, crapola.
Incredible view of the harbor, cruise ships and ocean!
I had the crab cake roll and a cup of clam chowder!
Simply Seattle..........yummy!
A three-story restaurant located in the heart of the Fisherman's Wharf Market. Upon entering you wait in line to order. Let the salivating begin! With a huge chalkboard menu and fresh specials daily, Lowell's has something for everyone. As you begin to near the register to place your order glance into the open kitchen and see the large scale breakfast operation in all it's glory: Omelets, hash browns, fresh squeezed OJ, warm cinnamon rolls the size of your head, even beer! I had the dungeness crab omelet. It was amazing! Huge chunks of fresh crab, melted cheese, fresh tomatoes. We also got fresh squeezed OJ and the aforementioned giant cinnamon roll which was served warm with cream cheese frosting. All were great! I'm getting hungry just writing this!
A couple things to note about Lowell's:
- The line may be long, but the service is fast and the food is fresh.
- There are three levels of seating (2 where you order at the counter. 1 where you have a server).
- The views are great.
- There is no outdoor seating.... but this is Seattle so it's probably raining anyway.
- The prices are bit spendy, but then again you are in the heart of one of Seattle's most popular tourist destinations.
- The coffee is bottomless, but alas the beer is not.
If I could give this 3.5 stars I would. Great view, nice, friendly staff, pretty good food. I found it very pricey for 2 beers, a tuna melt and a halibut club (the day's special sandwich), but kind of expected it as it's right in the middle of Pike Place Market.
The Market is crowded with tourists and so is Lowell's, but that's what gives it its charm. We shared a table with a couple from NYC and overheard their plans for their cruise. The table next to us had a senior citizen and her nieces talking about their trip so far, next to them were the "ugly Americans" getting annoyed that "this place is so crowded, where's our food, we ordered before them, etc". It's charming and interesting and maybe I'm just into eavesdropping, but it was nice.
Next time I'll go back for the table-service, full-serve restaurant on the second floor, but until then, I'll just have to wonder if the "ugly Americans" ever got their food.
I recently visited here twice in two weeks as the result of some crazy tourist visits.
Their food has consistenly been underwhelming to me. I wish I could get here for breakfast though, and try their Crab Omelet, which was rated as WA's food to try in Bon Appetit Magazine.
Overall, it's a good place when you're in Pike Place with visitors who want a view. You get decent food with really large portions. If you eat on the 3rd floor, just note that you will have to walk down to the 1st floor each time you need a refill on soda/coffee/tea/beer.
Yea...I should have listened to yelp this time.
This is a solid 2 star restaurant in terms of food.
It is a Solid 3 in terms of service....
And a solid 4 star in terms of the view from the top floor.
So I will give it a 3.
This is the kind of place that you can choose to have waiter service or you can choose not to. If you sit on the second floor then you get an inferior view but you get water brought to your table and a real waiter and all that jazz but if you sit upstairs then you have to get your own drinks and someone will eventually bring you your food....
The food was not good and not bad...mediocre is the word....
I got chowder in a sour dough bowl and the soup was really runny and not very flavorful. I was disappointed on a whole considering this is right next to a freaking fish market and I won't go be going back to this restaurant in future trips to the Pike Place Market.
Lowell's location is PERFECT in the heart of Pike Place, and overlooking the sea. The staff was efficient and friendly enough, and the wait for the food wasn't too long. The restaurant was very busy, however, and judging by that, I assumed that the food would be delicious.
Sadly, I was wrong... the Salmon Sandwich was decent though nothing spectacular, but the clam chowder was not... it was really salty and unappetizing.
We also ordered shrimp & chips and clam strips. The shrimp was OK... the chips were just like regular fries... and I actually have a question about the clam strips: where were the clams??? It was mainly batter and not worth the price.
If you're in the area... please go elsewhere for seafood.
Crowded and small; overpriced; food wasn't extraordinary, flavors don't stand out...
I wish we could've taken advantage of the view but because it was so crowded, we took the first table we could get which was the one farthest from the window =(
The staff was SUPER nice! They helped set the highchair out for my son!
setting; great. forty-five minute wait for breakfast after disembarking a cruise ship, hauling luggage to hotel and then walking to pike's place; exhausting. dungeness crab omelette with hash browns & english muffins; totally worth the trouble. $18.95 for said omelette; overpriced for the amount of crab you get.
satisfaction meter; better than average.
next time; lunch menu.
This review is entirely for their idiotic order at the counter and then try to find a seat in a packed restaurant system.
If you order at the counter you have to find a place to sit on the 1st or 3rd floor. Good luck !!! You will feel like a total schmuck just standing there waiting for people to finish their meals while you are holding your utensils.
The unsympathetic weinies that work there are no help either.
The food was worth 2.5 stars but who cares about that.
I suppose if you sit on the 2nd floor and have table service your experience could possibly be better, but your still going to get served by weinies.
There are two seperate Lowell's experiences to choose from.
You can stop at the counter on the first floor, look over the line, orderr your breakfast, go up to the third floor, and wait to have your tray come up. then you eat in a large (sometimes cold) room with one of the best views available from a restaraunt that costs less than 100 bucks per person.
OR, you can walk up to the second floor, and have a regular sit-down table service experience, with a view that is only twelve feet lower than the first view.
Or (I guess there are three) you can go to the second floor, and sit at the bar, where a very nice bartender, will take really good care of you. If you are in the mood for some morning (early afternoon) weekend extravagance, get the bloody mary, with *BACON INFUSED VODKA*!!! and she will garnish it with an oyster!
yum!
I would give them another star, but that third floor has a somewhat creepy vibe, maybe it's just the normal "market" vibe, but it is there.
Same Seattle weekend jaunt we were in the mood for a light lunch and Lowell's was recommended to us by the concierge in our hotel. The directions he gave us were kind of sketchy but actually worked! Lowell's is located smack dab in the middle of Pike Place Market and you just can't miss it because there will sure to be a line of hungry customers waiting to order.
Lowell's consists of 3 floors with table service on the 2nd floor. My hubby and I opted to order with the cashier on the first floor and grabbed a table with an awesome view of the water on the 3rd floor. Because we really didn't know what to expect, we asked the cashier for suggestions and decided on a bowl of clam chowder, their "famous fish and chips", and freshly squeezed orange juice.
Although their oj wasn't anything special at $4/glass it was their chowder and fish and chips that really stand out! The clam chowder had just the right smooth consistency and the light and flaky crust on the fish was perfect. I have to say it was the best fish I've had so far and have cravings for it still!
I can only give this a review on breakfast...I've had it there a few times and every time I was more than happy with it. I think the key is to get there early before the market has started to get crowded.
It's kind of nice to stroll through as the vendors are just starting to set up and grab a table on the 3rd floor overlooking Puget Sound while having your breakfast, a truly beautiful view.
As far as the food goes, it's just solid breakfast fare done well. Of everything I've ever had, I was actually most impressed by the oatmeal. It was cooked perfectly with a side of brown sugar and some fruit, pretty simple but perfect at hitting the spot.
I realize that the locals mostly avoid the Market (and for good reason), but if you're visiting this is a way to quietly enjoy and see it in a way that most don't. Get there early, you can always wade through the crowds later.
Lowell's is located within Pike Place Market. There are three levels to the restaurant, with different options at each level. Order to go on the first level, or order on the first level, hike up to the third level and your food will be brought up there. Or, proceed to the second floor where you can take a seat at the bar, or wait about to be seated. The line for brunch on a Monday morning took about 30 minutes. They couldn't sit our party of 6 together, so we had to sit 4 and 2, which was okay, but just a heads up the largest party they can accommodate at the same table is 4. Our waitress was attentive, but not very friendly or personable. All of our food was tasty and came with a great view of the Puget Sound.
Great views on the 3rd floor!! I had their crab cakes. A tad pricey, but they hit the spot. Nothing beats delighting in amazing crabcakes while enjoying the waterfront view.
Good spot to grab some grub while you're wandering around Pike Place Market...
OK I'm a second floor guy. (The one with the bar)
I mean, come on, I've only got an hour at lunch to have a couple of martinis. Time is money folks!
If you actually want to eat some lunch Lowell's is a good choice. (You liquid only fans might do better at the Athenian Next Door. not as good however way cheaper but cash only)
Some of the best fish and chips fish I've ever had. The chips, however, were craptastic, and let's face it: with fish and chips, that's half the battle.
Order at the counter during off hours and eat at a table overlooking the Puget Sound. Given that this is Pike Place Market and not a waterfront property, this is pretty much as good as you're gonna get.
A "greasy spoon" without the grease.
This is comfort food with a view. Very simple but tasty menu, standard diner fare with a few nice additions. The atmosphere was relaxed and kid friendly- complete with chalkboard tables.
While I can understand the frustration about the self-service aspect (order and then find a seat), I have been at other places of a similar nature for which that system worked. Perhaps we were just earlier than most, but it worked for us.
The staff seemed friendly enough- they brought the food quickly and cleaned up the tables fairly quickly as well.
We will return, but we'll probably try a few other places first.
From Dallas but went to Seattle for my 40th birthday and found this restaurant in Pike Place Market. Loved it. Delicious food, we had friend shrimp and yummy drinks at the bar, it overlooked the bay it was so beautiful. We went back a couple of days later and enjoyed it a second time and we got free taquitos to go with our drinks. I will go back to Seattle again and when I do I will return to Lowell's.
There was a huge line in front of Lowell's. Based on other yelp reviews, I requested seats on the 2nd floor near the windows. We got one of the few window seats in a short amount of time since there was only one person in line ahead of us.
I ordered the Fresh Wild Alaskan Smoked Salmon Scramble. My friends ordered the Lox Bagel breakfast and the Corn Beef Hash. I was a little disappointed in my dish, especially since this place is right on the water. It was good, but I've had better. My friends raved about their dishes and claimed that it was the best Lox Bagel and Corn Beef Hash they have ever had. The lox was a perfect amount of saltiness when combined with the bagel, cream cheese, and capers. My friend said that the corn beef hash had a nice amount of seasoning that stood out.
Ah, the drinks. It seems a lot of people opt for the great alcoholic drinks they prepare early in the morning, but for once I had to decline. I got OJ instead. WAY TOO SWEET.
I am left a little disappointed and service was crappy. The hustle of the place was a given, but the servers kind of just fly by you. Waited about 30 minutes for our dishes. I wanted to try their clam chowder, but maybe it was only available downstairs in that ridiculous line.
I'll keep it short and sweet:
-Order downstairs and they bring the food to you.
-Great views, even on rainy days. Great place to grab a cup of tea and sit by the window and watch the ferries come in on a dreary day.
-GREAT Tuna Melt. Extra cheesy. I would say hold the mayo next time (they slap extra mayo on the bread)
-A great bad cup of coffee
-Friendly servers that amaze me with the ability to walk up 3 flights of stairs to bring you your food
Its a great place to duck out of the normal craziness that is the Public Market.
"Who can argue with FREE?" says their website. (Really, who could? We're not talking moldy fruit here.) So, after seeing a blog posting a few weeks back, I made a special trip to enjoy a happy hour Blue Plate special earlier this week. The hostess/server unapologetically shared the news of the apparently spontaneous decision [see review below by MBDBD S., below]. No "let me see what I can do for you" or "let me talk with my manager" or anything.
With my own budget severely strapped by the recent downturn, I can't argue with scaling back a phenomenal deal like Lowell's [used to have]. But any manager/owner worth their salt should have the forethought to (1) find a solution for folks who show up asking for it and (2) update your website copy. [Which is still outdated as of 8/27]
With that level of service, or lack thereof, *and* the high level of regular prices (though not high for Pike Place, for sure), it would take some major arm- and leg-twisting to get me to Lowell's again.
So, I trotted off to Five Spot, where they actually still *are* having good deals for happy hour and have great service, too.
Although I've only been here for drinks, I loved it!
The cocktails were great. I had a bacon-infused martini here! They make their own bacon vodka in house. It was really salty but interesting. When my fiance and I went here, it was before we were going to dinner at Wild Ginger..on the night of our engagement, so I will always think of this place with happy memories.
It was pretty mellow inside and we were seated by a corner window..I cant remember if we picked our own seats or not. Our server was also pretty nice and had a good sense of humor :) We are planning on returning sometime soon for breakfast, hopefully we can get to sit in the great window spot again!
They bent over backward to help my wife in distress (lost ring, rolled under fridge, searched until found!) we had an awesome breakfast of Blueberry Pancakes and "Incredible" Breakfast Tacos (they;re description, but we agree) and bottomless cups of Cafe Vita coffee.
Staff is old school friendly with yes mam's and no sir's and thank you's and your welcomes. Well be back, we felt at home!
Clearly the last thing Lowell's needs is another review, but I'll go right ahead and give it one. I came here for after happy hour drinks and ordered a Seattle 75. It had tasty flavors, but it was a little annoying that it was served in a martini glass, since I feel like any drink that has any champagne in it should be served in a flute.
I didn't actually try any of the food, but we did get some great dinner recommendations from the bartender.
Great way to start the morning in Seattle! Seriously, I can stare at the view of Elliott Bay and eat breakfast here every day. Delicious Market Breakfast for 8.95, great value without breaking the bank. I loved their soft and huge portion of hash browns, scrambled eggs hit the spot and the orange juice here is freshly squeezed and is the best pick-me-up before a morning at the market.
Second floor is for waiter service, however third floor has the best view of the water. Staff was very friendly and avg wait for our food was just under 10 minutes. Gets crowded here daily so definitely worth waking up early and getting there by 8, or head over around 10/1030 before the lunch crowd. I don't recommend that many must-dos when one goes to Seattle, but this may be my first.
We did an early morning 2nd floor stop before the start of the Cheese Festival. Great view, quiet even when full, and very good beverage service.
Hubby had the classic Benedict - awesome hollandaise sauce, perfect soft eggs, tasty english muffin.
I had the crab scramble special (hold the spinach) - awesome hash-browns, very tangy thick slices of sourdough toast lightly buttered, but only a tablespoon or so of crab and a strange after thought of hard shredded Parmesan cheese (think the king that comes out of the tub from the grocery store deli department and never melts right).
The crab was VERY fresh, well shredded, no cartilage... but $15.95? I would deduct 2 stars, but the service was so good and the awesome hollandaise sauce was REALLY awesome hollandaise sauce!
So yes, I am bias because I do not eat seafood, but most every seafood l place I went to while visiting seattle had something well-prepared for us non-seafood eaters. However, this dump thought I would enjoy a slab of dry meat in between 2 soggy breads and call it a steak sandwich. Never again.
Pretty view if you sit upstairs though.
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: French
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Restaurants
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: French
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Seafood
Neighborhood: Downtown
Category: Seafood
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